A DAD accused of buying his young son’s love by showering him with dozens of popular toys has been awarded full-time custody of the boy despite concerns about his ability to care for him.

The man, known only by the pseudonym Mr Shipton, was accused of buying his five-year-old son dozens of Skylanders, parts of a popular video game at the centre of the bizarre custody battle.

The latest kids’ craze lets players enter a virtual realm through a “portal’’ that plugs into their gaming console.

Like marbles, Tazos and Pokemon before it, kids worldwide have become obsessed with the game since its release in 2011. New Skylanders are released regularly, ranging from around $9 to $14.

The Federal Circuit Court heard Mr Shipton showered his son with the toys as well as other games on a regular basis in what his mum claimed was an attempt to buy his love.

“He can expect to receive a Skylander on each change of residence or ... be promised one during the regular telephone calls which pass between Mr Shipton and (the boy),” the court heard.

The boy’s mum, known as Ms Meyer, claimed her ex-husband used the toys as an inducement to manage his behaviour and said it was clear evidence of his shortcomings as a parent.

She argued Mr Shipton had spoilt their son, who had about 35 Skylanders, all bought by his dad.

But Judge Stewart Brown disagreed. “What one person regards as an excessive level of giving to a child, another may consider appropriate,” he said.

“The criticism they make of Mr Shipton is that his presents are too generous, too frequent and occur strategically. I can appreciate their criticism, but do not consider that this is bad parenting inherently.

“I consider that what does or does not constitute spoiling of a child is very much a matter in the eye of the beholder.

“It would be preferable if the parties could have a common policy in regards to such things, but Mr Shipton’s gifts in this regard cannot be regarded as outlandish.”